Carrier Transicold’s new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Supra® multi-temperature truck refrigeration unit has just received PIEK certification, with a noise level below 60 dB(A). Noise reduction is particularly important for truck deliveries in high density urban areas in the morning or late at night, as more municipalities across Europe enact noise ordinances. This award-winning Supra unit is ideal for urban distribution, offering fresh and frozen multi-temperature applications in up to three compartments. Carrier Transicold, which operates in France as Carrier Transicold France, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

PIEK standards, introduced in the Netherlands in 2003, were developed in response to growing concerns from local governments and supermarkets to reduce noise levels for night deliveries (between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.). PIEK-registered technology must not surpass 60 decibels, the equivalent of normal conversation. While the Netherlands paved the way in this field, the standards have been adopted in many European cities. The CNG-powered Supra refrigeration unit engine reduces noise and vibrations as well as fumes and smoke, as compared to compression ignition diesel engines, which helps improve operating conditions for drivers and the communities they serve.

Nighttime hours are ideal for urban delivery so quiet refrigeration units are key. Because traffic is less dense, route times can be significantly shortened, reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and decreasing the risk of accidents. Nighttime distribution also gives retailers more delivery options, which can help them better manage inventory levels to satisfy customer needs.

The new CNG-powered Supra unit’s low noise level is achieved through the synergy of technical and innovative specifications:

Indirect air entry and special top cover designed to reduce acoustic vibrations

Sound-absorbing materials

Integrated foam sound insulation on unit doors

Reduction of noise, vibrations, odors and smoke, improving operator and neighboring community comfort

Possibility of using biogas made of organic waste, further reducing CO2 emissions by 80% to 95%

Designed to use a single fuel source for both the engine on a CNG-powered truck and the refrigeration unit, the Supra unit requires just a single refill point, which can save time and money and help increase operator productivity. Fitted with an independent tank for the refrigeration unit, it has full autonomy, maintaining cold chain integrity even when the truck is idling or stopped.

“We have seen a growing demand for quiet refrigeration units, especially for urban retail deliveries,” said Lionel Pourcheresse, senior manager, Sustainability & Product Solutions, Carrier Transicold Europe. “With the new CNG-powered Supra, Carrier Transicold offers an environmentally sustainable solution for urban deliveries in European cities that experience increased traffic jams, resulting in high levels of air and noise pollution in overcrowded residential areas.”

Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.For more information on Carrier Transicold and its products and services, visit www.carriertransicold.eu. Follow Carrier Transicold on Twitter: @SmartColdChain.